Nationwide Series Preview for Kentucky

Austin and Brian will have two teammates this weekend in the Bluegrass State

RCR's NASCAR Nationwide Series History at Kentucky Speedway ... Richard Childress Racing has 27 previous starts at Kentucky Speedway, acquiring wins with Kevin Harvick in 2001 and Austin Dillon in July and September 2012, among 12 top-five and 18 top-10 finishes. RCR has three poles at Kentucky Speedway, with Dillon in both 2012 events and June 2013. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization maintains an average starting position of 11.9 coupled with an average finishing position of 9.8 in all Nationwide Series races contested at Kentucky Speedway, with 563 laps led and a 98.2 percent lap completion record.

RCR in the NNS ... In 949 Nationwide Series starts through the last 15 years, RCR has earned 66 wins, 49 pole awards, 319 top-five and 530 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 11.9 and an average finishing position of 12.4 among all races contested. RCR earned the Nationwide Series driver point championships in 2001 and 2006 with Harvick and in 2008 with Clint Bowyer. The Welcome, N.C.-based team earned the owner's title in 2003 with Johhny Sauter and Harvick and again in 2007 with Jeff Burton and Scott Wimmer.

The Season So Far ... In the 26 races contested this season, RCR has earned two wins in the Nationwide Series, with Tony Stewart at Daytona International Speedway and Harvick at Atlanta Motor Speedway, along with 22 top-five and 41 top-10 finishes. Austin Dillon has earned six pole awards at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Dover International Speedway, Iowa Speedway, Michigan International Speedway, Kentucky Speedway and Daytona International Speedway, setting the all-time pole award record in the Nationwide Series with four-consecutive poles, while Brian Scott earned a pole award for the organization at Richmond International Raceway. The organization has led 1,027 laps in 2013.

Get to the Points ... Dillon ranks second in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, trailing point leader Sam Hornish Jr by 17 points, while Brian Scott is seventh, 72 points out of the lead. In the Nationwide Series owner championship point standings, the No. 3 Chevrolet team sits fourth, while the No. 2 team is ninth and the No. 33 team is 11th.
Social Media ... To keep up-to-date with the latest news and information and to view exclusive content, visit RCR's Twitter page - @RCRracing, RCR's NASCAR Nationwide Series team Twitter pages - @RCR2BScott, @RCR3ADillon and @RCR33NNS, RCR's NNS driver Twitter pages - @BScottRacing, @AustinDillon3, @Matt_Crafton and @DakodaArmstrong and the official Facebook fan pages - facebook.com/BScottRacing, facebook.com/austindillon3, facebook.com/dakoda22 and facebook.com/mcrafton88.
Catch the Action ... Flag-to-flag coverage of the Kentucky 300 will be televised on ESPNEWS beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, Sept. 21 and broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio channel 90.

Brian Scott
No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet Camaro

This Week's Shore Lodge Chevrolet at Kentucky Speedway ... Brian Scott and the No. 2 Shore Lodge Chevrolet team head to the "Bluegrass State" this weekend for the second time during the 2013 season. Scott will pilot chassis No. 129 for the NASCAR Nationwide Series at Kentucky Speedway. The Boise, Idaho-native drove this chassis to a 10th-place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway in August, as well as a career-best second-place finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July.

Scott's "Bluegrass State" History ... Scott has five Nationwide Series starts to his credit at Kentucky Speedway. The Richard Childress Racing driver has two top-10 starting positions and a best finish of 11th in the September 2012 event. Additionally, he has three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at the track earning two top-10 starting positions, one top-five, two top-10 finishes and led 43 laps. Scott also made two ARCA Racing Series starts at the D-shaped oval, earning the pole and a top-five finish in 2008.

Lodging in Idaho ... Shore Lodge will serve as the primary sponsor for Scott and the No. 2 team this weekend at Kentucky Speedway. Set on the southern shore of Payette Lake in McCall, Idaho, four seasons of adventure await at this idyllic location. A family favorite since 1948, the travel destination allows guests to enjoy the spectacular views, friendly service and generous accommodations at the lake front resort. Shore Lodge serves as the perfect mixture of adventure and luxury featuring 26 spa adventures, fitness studio, golf privileges at Whitetail Club, jet skiing, and a private beach for guests.
Shore Lodge: Did You Know? ... Shore Lodge is set in the resort town of McCall, Idaho on the western edge of Valley County. The resort town is known for its annual Winter Carnival which started in 1923. The McCall, Idaho Winter Carnival offers snow sculpture viewing, fireworks, parades and a true carnival atmosphere over two weekends. The festival is always held the last weekend of January through the first weekend in February.BRIAN SCOTT QUOTE
What did you learn back in June when you raced at Kentucky Speedway? "I know Kentucky (Speedway) historically has been a really strong track for Richard Childress Racing; Austin (Dillon) swept both races there last year. For us, we may have taken a route with our setups during the earlier part of the year that wasn't paying off. We've since gone back to the basics where we were earning top-five and top-10 finishes. I know we'll be good when we get back on track this weekend, our mile-and-a-half program has been strong and I know RCR can return to dominance there."

Austin Dillon
No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet Camaro

This Week's AdvoCare Chevrolet at Kentucky Speedway ... Austin Dillon will pilot chassis No. 136 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable. This is a new Chevrolet Camaro that will be utilized for the first time under race conditions this weekend.

Dillon at Kentucky Speedway ... In three Nationwide Series appearances at Kentucky Speedway, Dillon has three pole awards and two wins at the 1.5 mile track, sweeping both the June and September events in 2012 and earning a sixth-place finish in June 2013. The Welcome, N.C., driver also has three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at the 1.5-mile track acquiring two pole awards, one top-five and two top-10 finishes amongst 46 laps led. In his lone ARCA Racing Series start at the track in 2009, he started 34th and finished 15th.
The Season So Far ... According to NASCAR's Loop Data Season-to-Date Statistics, Dillon leads the Nationwide Series championship contenders in Average Starting Position (5.2), ranks second in Laps in the Top-15 (91.1 percent), has led the second-most laps (484), maintains the third-best Driver Rating (101.5), is the third-Fastest Driver on Restarts (8.231), ranks fourth in Average Running Position (8.915), and ranks fourth in Fastest Laps Run (291).

Get to the Points ... Dillon ranks second in the Nationwide Series driver championship standings, 17 markers shy of Sam Hornish Jr.'s point lead.

Spark Your Engines ... Dillon and the RCR team will sport the colors of award-winning premier health and wellness company AdvoCare on the No. 3 Chevrolet at Kentucky Speedway. AdvoCare offers nutrition, weight loss, energy and sports performance products of the highest quality developed through comprehensive research and backed by a Scientific and Medical Advisory Board. Dillon trains with AdvoCare products throughout the week and is a distributor as well. For more information about Dillon's favorite products, including Spark, Rehydrate, meal replacement bars and Post-Workout Recovery, visit http://www.AdvoCare.com.
AdvoCare Supporting the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma ... If Dillon wins this weekend's Nationwide Series race at Kentucky Speedway, AdvoCare will make a $5,000 donation to the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. The health and wellness company will pledge $2,000 to CIPT for a top-five finish and $1,000 for a top-10 finish. So far this season, the No. 3 team has raised $25,000 towards the cause. The Childress Institute invests resources in research, education and awareness to improve the treatment for critically injured children in the U.S. and AdvoCare's generous donations are aimed at helping to raise awareness for pediatric trauma, the No. 1 killer of children in America. You can help save the lives of injured children by making a contribution to the Childress Institute in two ways: donate $33 in honor of Dillon via his website, or text WIN to 80077 to make a $10 donation.

Off Track ... When not at the race track, Dillon's interests include the outdoors, football and golf. This week, he traveled West to participate in an Elk hunt in Ft. Garland, Colo. Following Saturday's NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kentucky Speedway, Dillon is scheduled to participate in the Colt Ford & Friends Celebrity Golf Tournament, and also plans to keep up with multiple fantasy NFL football leagues that he participates in.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE
You swept both Kentucky Speedway races last year. Do you think this weekend could provide a chance to gain some points in the Nationwide Series championship battle? "You just never know. This battle has been really tight this year and it's really anyone's championship to win. I've really enjoyed battling with Sam Hornish, Jr all year, along with the other competitors. I've had some success at Kentucky Speedway in the past, so I hope I can capitalize this weekend and gain some points. Everyone has been so close all year, though, that it's going to take someone making a mistake in order for one of us to gain any points. If that happens we will be there to capitalize. Everybody on our AdvoCare Chevrolet team gets really excited about going to Kentucky Speedway because we've had such good luck there in the past."

Dakoda Armstrong
No. 21 WinField Chevrolet Camaro

This Week's WinField Chevrolet at Kentucky Speedway ... Dakoda Armstrong will pilot Chassis No. 118 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable Saturday evening at Kentucky Speedway. Armstrong drove this RCR-prepared machine to a 15th-place result at Chicagoland Speedway in July.

Back in the Saddle Again ... Armstrong returns to the RCR Nationwide Series program this weekend for his fourth of five scheduled appearances in the 2013 season. The 22-year-old driver is scheduled to make his final start with the No. 21 team later this season at Kansas Speedway.
Racing in the Bluegrass State ... Saturday's Kentucky 300 marks Armstrong's first Nationwide Series appearance at Kentucky Speedway and his fifth-career Nationwide Series start. The Indiana native has four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts to his credit at the 1.5-mile facility, with one top-10 finish. He also made on ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards start at the track in 2009, posting an 11th-place finish.

WinField on the Hood ... WinField, a Land O'Lakes company, offers top-performing seed and crop protection products and will adorn the hood of the No. 21 Chevrolet Camaro this weekend at Kentucky Speedway. With unmatched agricultural expertise and performance as core company values, WinField brands match leading seed and crop protection products to help growers, dealers and other industry partners achieve high levels of success. WinField brands include CROPLAN® seed, crop protection products, plant nutrients and other proprietary products. Backed with unrivaled technical services and knowledge, WinField™ products deliver outstanding solutions and value for the agricultural industry.

Meet the Driver ... Armstrong is scheduled to participate in a Nationwide Series driver autograph session on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time in the Fan Zone hospitality tent next to the ARCA garage at Kentucky Speedway.
Race Rewind: Chicagoland Speedway ... Armstrong's last Nationwide Series start for RCR was in July at Chicagoland Speedway where, after starting from the 17th position, he collected his second 15th-place finish of the 2013 season in his third Nationwide Series start for RCR.

DAKODA ARMSTRONG QUOTE
What are your thoughts on competing for Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series at Kentucky Speedway? "Breaking up our NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule with these NASCAR Nationwide Series races for Richard Childress Racing is really a welcome change in pace for me. In the first three races I've had with RCR in the Nationwide car, we've had really good speed and I've had a lot of fun. Our finishes have been improving each time and Kentucky (Speedway) is a really good track for me. I'm excited to get the chance to work with Marcus Richmond and with this team. I think we have a shot at another strong weekend."

Matt Crafton
No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet Camaro

This Week's Rheem/Menards Car at Kentucky Speedway... Matt Crafton will pilot chassis No. 112 at Kentucky Speedway. This No. 33 was previously run by Crafton at Kentucky in June where he drove to a third-place finish, and Chicgoland Speedway in July where he finished 10th.

Crafton in the "Bluegrass State" ... Crafton is scheduled to make his second Kentucky Speedway start this weekend in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. In his first Nationwide Series appearance at the 1.5-mile track, he started eighth and finished third. However, the California native is no stranger to the speedway making 15 previous starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Crafton's best start of first came in 2012 and best finish of third came in both 2008 and 2009 at the Sparta, Ky., track. He has completed 2,080 of 2,240 laps attempted (92.9 percent), leading 36 of them.

Third Time's a Charm ... This weekend will mark Crafton's last of three scheduled races in the No. 33 Rheem/Menards machine for the 2013 season. In his two previous Nationwide Series starts, Crafton finished third at Kentucky Speedway in June, and 10th at Chicagoland Speedway in July. He's looking for a win in his final Nationwide Series start of the season.

Gotta Have a Rheem ...Rheem Manufacturing Company (www.rheem.com) is privately held with headquarters in Atlanta and U.S. operations in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Indiana, North Carolina and Texas. In its 88th year of operation, the company manufactures a full-line of eco-friendly, technologically advanced residential and commercial heating and cooling systems; tank, tankless, solar and hybrid heat pump water heaters; whole-home standby generators, controls, swimming pool and spa heaters; indoor air-purification products; and commercial boilers throughout North America and world markets. The company's premium brands, including Rheem, Raypak, Ruud and Richmond have been recognized with countless industry and consumer awards for reliability, innovative design and high quality. Rheem is the official heating, cooling and water heating supplier to Richard Childress Racing, and is a primary sponsor of RCR's No. 29 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and RCR's No. 33 Chevrolet in the Nationwide Series.

Race Rewind ... Crafton last turned laps at Kentucky Speedway in June when he made his Nationwide Series debut. He started eighth and finished third in the rain-shortened event.

MATT CRAFTON QUOTE
What are your thoughts about racing the Rheem/Menards car at Kentucky Speedway? "I'm excited to get back behind the wheel of the No. 33 Rheem/Menards machine this weekend. We had a great car at Kentucky Speedway earlier this season and we're taking that same car back. We had a strong finish of third, but I think if that rain wouldn't have shortened the event we would have had a shot to win. I've got some unfinished business in Kentucky, and I'm hoping to take care of that with a win on Saturday in my last NASCAR Nationwide Series race for RCR this season. I can't thank RCR, Menards and Rheem enough for giving me the opportunity to run some Nationwide races this year. I've really enjoyed working with the No. 33 team and I hope to get the chance to race with them again in the future."